When I started writing this blog 8 years ago, the blog that for so long existed for me to moan about my pregnancy piles and constant craving to chew on flannels, I had no idea it would one day become my job.
I so clearly remember the day I started it. I’d found out I was pregnant with Elfie 24 hours before, having only peed on a pregnancy test because I was off work with the flu and bored of the TV, and in amongst my panic one of the first things I wanted to do was to connect to other women going through a similar experience.
I need to connect and resonate with women, women like me whose lives aren’t perfect
At 24 the only mother I knew was my own, and having gone through my teenage years with the wisdom of LiveJournal friends pulling me through the most hormonal of times (and there were lots of them), I knew I needed similar community-based knowledge and support once more. And so I started an anonymous blog, calling it ‘Womb With A View’ because at that point more than ever I felt like I needed a LOL wherever I could get one, and began building my support network. The blog soon morphed into More Than Toast – so named because I was freaking sick of eating nothing but toast as the mother of a newborn – and we have remained ever since.
More Than Toast became my full-time job last summer, a decision I made because I wanted to focus more on my writing and creativity over corporate gigs, and having recently started a relationship it felt important to spend my free time focussing on that rather than slaving over a steaming laptop. To say the least it’s been an interesting transition from Marketing Consultant to full-time blogger, and has not been the breeze I expected it to be.
Making your hobby your career is one thing you’re always advised to do by those inspirational Pinterest boards, but turning something you’ve always loved to do for free into a money-making success is a particularly intimidating thing. I suddenly started second-guessing everything I was writing about, worrying that my mind-blurting posts (the ones I love to write) weren’t good enough to be read by people who visited to read a ‘professional’ blog.
I also experienced some trolling last year and the criticism really set me back; I’ve always been so proud of writing about my life experiences and the way this helps others feel a little less lonely on their own life journeys, and suddenly between my own self-judgement and that of others I felt moderated and stifled, unable to put fingers to keyboard in a way I always have so enjoyed.
The blogger life has also felt quite lonely – the days at my computer without meetings with real-life 3D people can feel long – and I’ve missed my clients and the dynamic nature of the business world. Plus, as my blog is about my experiences, I’ve felt a weird pressure to always make sure I am Living My Best Life, millennial-style. Not always possible when you’ve been up all night with a vomiting child and the only places you want to put your head are either in the oven or inside a massive cheesecake, neither of which are particularly ‘grammable.
I want to write and be creative. And that’s what I’m going to do, trolls, self-doubt and critics be damned.
Which is why, since the beginning of the year, I’ve been re-thinking the direction I’m taking my blog. I wanted to take something of an unofficial hiatus to re-focus myself and remember exactly why I started it and why I love it, and that became really clear, really quickly: I need to connect and resonate with women, women like me whose lives aren’t perfect. I want to make people laugh and be a crack of sunshine in what might otherwise be a bit of a shitty day. I want to make a mark – no matter how small – in this world that can quite often feel like it’s going down the pan. I want to write and be creative. And that’s what I’m going to do, trolls, self-doubt and critics be damned.
The first step of the re-invigoration of More Than Toast is what you can see here: the first re-design I’ve done in two years. This has been my own handiwork with the logo c/o the creative stylings of Lydia Berman, and I am as proud of it as the old layouts I used to make for my LiveJournal from scans of Kerrang! and a bootleg copy of Paint Shop Pro.
The second step is a store that will sell a range of female-focussed products that I have been working on with Steph of Flat 102.
The third step is in-person one-day blogging courses with Epanoui in Bedford, followed by e-courses right here at More Than Toast.
The fourth step is something absolutely massive, which I am not allowed to talk about yet because I signed a contract promising I wouldn’t (it’s SO worth the wait and the wanky ‘I can’t talk about this’ statement, though!).
I’m so excited to be falling back in love with this place I love so much, and I thank you hugely for coming along for the ride – More Than Toast wouldn’t be here without you, and I wouldn’t be living a career I love so much if it wasn’t for my readers, visitors and friends. And that is something I feel thankful for every single day. I’m so excited to return to a place where I feel I can open-heartedly write about my family, my love and my life
SO! My mailing list is open and will be the place where notification of all these exciting happenings will go – you can sign up for these in the right hand box on the homepage (bottom box if you’re on mobile).
Thank-you for being here! I can’t wait to show you what’s next.
I love your blog and Insta!! I can totally relate to what you’re saying here, as I returned to work in January and my blog is about parenting, but they’re in childcare five days a week! I work from home so it’s tricky to write about life as a mum when most of my life is in front of a laptop. What you’re doing sounds amazing and it’s so exciting you’re starting a new chapter. I hope it brings you the new energy and inspiration you need! Xx
YES Vicky – it’s so hard to mold a motherhood blog to your life I reckon, when our lives as mothers are so constantly ebbing, flowing and changing… Thank you for your lovely words xx
Congrats Alice the new design and plans look great! X
Thanks, Lori! xx
Please say the fourth is a book?! Loving the new re-design lovely, it looks fab! x
I can’t WAIT to share the news. Thank you lovely xx
Your new blog design looks gorgeous Alice, there’s nothing better than a little refresh. Your blog was one of the firsts I fell in love with and is still one of my favourites now. x
That’s so lovely of you to say, thank you! I agree, a blog re-fresh is like having a really good hair cut xx
I think your blog is absolutely wonderful I find myself looking forward to every post. I am in the process of setting up a blog myself and I do use a few of my favourite bloggers to inspire and motivate me! A change of career is always a tricky time but hopefully it will be worth it. Best of luck with all of your plans.
Thank you Claire, that is such a lovely thing for you to say! Your blog looks fab, I hope it all goes well for you. I definitely need to try and reduce the amount of gluten our family eats so I’ll be back xx
Can I be added to your mailing list please? Love the redesign of the blog and all your new plans.
I have added you, Janie :)
Dear Alice,
I so hear you on professional blogging. I lasted a year and took the move to Sweden as a welcome natural break from it all. It is only now, since we decided to move back, that I can look at my blog without despair and the very strong urge to vomit – but it took me a good three and a half year break. As you know, I turned my other hobby into a job, which has provided its own fair share of issues..
I am sorry you have been the victim of trolls. Jealous, talented, horrendous people who couldn’t do half of what you are doing, even if they tried. I have been a loyal reader throughout your career and love how far you’ve come. You are amazing and I am looking forward to hearing more of that distinct, intelligent and humorous Alice voice that I and so many others love.
Lots of love,
Deborah
PS: Let’s have real life cheesecake once I am back in London xx
You are so kind Deb, thank you. I’m really excited to find out more about what you’re going to be doing back in London! More blogging? More yoga? So looking forward to catching up (with cheesecake!!) xx
*talentless. Not talented. I am also not very talented it seems…
The new re-design looks ace- nothing like a refresh for kick-starting your motivation! I must admit I feel in a bit of no-mans land with my blog at the moment. I earn more now than I ever have through it and have some nice opportunities, but I feel the passion for just writing/photographing for fun has died somewhat and I’d like to get it back. Good luck with all these fab new ventures!
LOVE YOU. and have your back always. x
Love you xxx
Great post Alice – have followed you for a while now and it’s so lovely to see you looking so happy and your children flourishing too – here’s to an exciting 2018!
Nathalie x
Love the new design Alice. Have always enjoyed your blog and excited to see all the things ahead for you.
You absolute smasher JT! Love it all and good luck! Xx
I love your blog and it really inspired me to get writing. My blog is just a baby but people have reached out to say I’ve inspired them. so i thought it was only right to let you know that you inspire me :-)
keep doing what you love. I hope one day to be in your position.
xxx
That is so wonderful to hear, thank you so much, Sherene xx
Exciting times ahead! Site looks great and it’s very interesting to read about your experiences of turning a hobby that you love into a professional career. Look forward to reading about future developments.
I love your redesign and have always loved your blog. I look forward to seeing it pop into my mailbox. Best of luck!
Thank you so much, Nina!
Exciting times. Trying to work out if I ever knew you that you way, way younger than me. You are an actual millenial (Right? I’m never quite sure where the line is, but you’re my sister’s age and I think she is.) instead of someone who just pretends to be one :)
I totally get you on the turning what you love into how you make your money. It’s hard to have the joy sucked out of it. I have an idealised vision of a life where I have a portfolio career that combines *all* the things I love doing and I get paid for all of them. I think I’m too risk-averse to make that happen (or maybe my husband is – hmm).
Good luck and I’m excited to see what the BIG NEWS is. T xxx
This is exciting Alice and I’m so pleased for you and your new projects. I know just how much works goes into this kind of thing behind the scenes. Particularly excited about the new product range with Steph! x
The new blog is beautiful! I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.
I discovered you about a year ago (I think by googling about serums?) and am so glad I did. I’m a working mom of two living in the US, so our lives are similar but different. It’s cheesy but you are very inspiring!
Lovely to have you here, April! Love that you found me from googling serums :) X